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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Why Should We Sing the Psalms at Mass?

Richard J. Clark · May 8, 2015

HE PSALMS ARE AN endlessly rich source of spiritual nourishment. Whether it is the liturgy of the hours or the mass, the Psalms—some of the most ancient of scripture—are a central focus of our prayer. But for many who attend mass regularly, this is a head scratcher. Often “The Psalm” only refers to the Responsorial Psalm. And that’s it. No more psalms sung in the mass.

Furthermore, only a few short verses appear in the Responsorial Psalm. This is intentional, of course, as it is a direct reflection or “response” to the previous reading. However, if we do not sing the antiphons proper to the day—and the corresponding psalm verses—this may be all we get.

AM VERY FORTUNATE to have a number of choir members with training in theology, some with advanced degrees. We have lively discussions, and I am often the beneficiary of their insights.

Recently, I received some reflections from one such choir member, comparing the version of Psalm 22 we sing as the Responsorial on Palm Sunday, and the verses of Psalm 22 we sing on the Fifth Sunday of Easter in Cycle B. (Keep in mind, that if one sings the Communion Antiphon on Psalm Sunday, a great deal more of Psalm 22 is sung!)

Each year on Palm Sunday we rehear the striking words “My God, My God, why have you abandoned me?” I would propose for reflection that the many iterations of reflections on this one verse have trapped us into thinking a quite narrow and certain way. A case in point: if we say the word “prodigal,” we immediately add the word “son.” However, the father is much more lavish and generous in a substantial way than the younger son’s wild spending.

The real point in the use of the psalm comes from an understanding of how those who heard it said would have understood. Jesus was preaching from the cross. He was using the words his Father spoke through him [THE WORD] to proclaim his mission to the last breath. The psalms are among the earliest scripture. By and large they were handed over orally. If a person heard the first words of a PSALM it would trigger the recollection of the whole psalm. So, the verses of Ps 22 on Palm Sunday lead us to the verses used here [Easter 5B] as well and those of today looking back to Palm Sunday—certainly much more than a lament and how “abandoned” Jesus felt. We are not abandoned, we are saved.

The final words of Psalm 22 are not well known: Psalm 22:32. “The generation to come will be told of the Lord, that they may proclaim to a people yet unborn the deliverance you have brought.” Jesus’ message from the cross was ultimately that of redemption.

This is what the psalms teach us. Jesus taught through the psalms. Sing the Mass. Sing the Psalms!

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Propers, Singing the Mass Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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President’s Corner

    Typo in the “Missale Romanum” (1962)
    The 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM was a transitional missal. It was on its way to becoming the 1970 version, but wasn’t there yet. It eliminated certain duplications, downplayed the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar, expanded the role of laymen, minimized the Last Gospel, made many items optional, and so forth. Father Valentine Young spotted many typos in the 1962 MISSALE ROMANUM, especially incorrect accents. The Offertory Antiphon for this coming Sunday (OF kalendar) contains an error, citing the wrong verse from Psalm 118. It should be 118:107b, not 118:154. If you read verse 154, you’ll understand how that error crept in. [In this particular case, the error pre-dates the 1962 Missal, since the 1940s hand-missal by Father Lasance also gets it wrong.]
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 30th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 26 October 2025, which is the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the top-notch feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Little Encouragement?
    In the Gospel, our Savior tells about 10 lepers who were healed. Only one went back to give thanks. Precious few express gratitude, yet many have endless energy to complain. For that reason, I deeply appreciate receiving messages like the following, which arrived a few days ago (about the parish where I direct in Michigan): “Last Sunday, a couple I knew from Grand Rapids was at Mass at 10:00 a.m. I got a chance to talk to them after Mass. I wanted to let you know what they said about the choir. They were absolutely floored by our sound!!!!! They both said they could continuously listen to our choir and the beauty of it. They asked me: “Do you always sound like that?” And they were also very surprised at how packed the church was. They said it was nice for them to be in such a full church. I just thought you would be interested to know their thoughts about our choir.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “Our Father” • Musical Setting?
    Looking through a Roman Catholic Hymnal published in 1859 by Father Guido Maria Dreves (d. 1909), I stumbled upon this very beautiful tune (PDF file). I feel it would be absolutely perfect to set the “Our Father” in German to music. Thoughts?
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“H. E. Cardinal Newman has permitted the Translator the use of all his published hymns. The hymn for Prime has never been published before, except in a little book printed by the present Translator a few years ago, and for which he obtained it from the illustrious writer. H. E. has also had the goodness to prepare the doxologies, altering with the Office, belonging to his own hymns.”

— John Crichton-Stuart (27 June 1879)

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